Newsroom

Colleagues Honor Employees of Year

May 26, 2011

Cubberley K-8 School plant manager Sam Hill and Garfield Elementary School intermediate office assistant Dianna Bisnar tied for the Long Beach Unified School District’s Classified Employee of the Year Award announced at a ceremony last week in honor of Classified Employee Week.

Hill, a 37-year Long Beach Unified School District employee, has coached all-city champs in multiple sports at the middle school level, in addition to his plant supervisor duties. His numerous nominations for this year’s award included a co-signed submission from Principal Terri Jarels and former Cubberley Principal Michael Navia.

“He approaches every task, from the daily to the special event, with energy, passion and humor,” the principals wrote. “Through it all, he remains calm, gracious and supportive. He is everything to Cubberley, and he is willing do anything you could need or want, because he loves the school, and everyone loves him.”

At Garfield, several colleagues nominated 17-year LBUSD employee Bisnar, including Principal Donna McKeehan, who described the office assistant as “the heart and soul of the Garfield office.”

On a daily basis, Bisnar “remains calm, composed and professional when the office around her may be in chaos. She strives for excellence in everything she does. Her warm personality, caring heart and compassionate manner toward everyone are traits that make her stand out.”

Both winners said they were touched.

“I’m especially grateful to my Cubberley family,” said Hill, whose formal title is plant manager II. “Elsewhere, people often are judged by their title, but at Cubberley everyone has always given me nothing but respect, and I appreciate that very much.”

“I have to thank my Garfield family, who I dearly love,” said Bisnar, whose formal title is intermediate office assistant – schools. “I’m so grateful and honored, and this is an experience that I’ll always remember.”

Bisnar and Hill will be recognized at the June 7 Board of Education meeting.

EMPLOYEES OF THE YEAR -- Cubberley K-8 School plant manager Sam Hill and Garfield Elementary School intermediate office assistant Dianna Bisnar tied for the support staff honor.

Our Mission

To support the personal and intellectual success of every student, every day.